'Jacob and his Twelve Sons', an impressive cycle of paintings by Spanish master painter Francisco de Zurbaran, hang in the Long Dining Room.

Jonathan Ruffer established Auckland Castle Trust in 2012 with an ambitious vision: to transform an 900-year-old bishop’s palace from an unknown private dwelling into a world-class art, faith and heritage destination of international significance. Within five years this project should attract over 200,000 visitors and inject £4 million per year into Bishop Auckland and the surrounding area.

For more detailed information, see website.